Connect with us

Rivers

Philanthropist Commits To Youth Dev

Published

5 years ago

on

A week long athletic activities sponsored by Dr. Bernard and Friends Foundation (DEBAFF) which started with a colloquium has ended Saturday at Ahoada, in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State with a clarion call on youths to embrace sports as a means of livelihood.
The tournament tagged: 2021 Ekpeye Youth Grassroots Mixed Martial Arts Championship and Empowerment Programme featured judo, mix martial arts, Ekpeye traditional wrestling, Ijaw traditional wrestling, Ekpeye cultural procession (the conquest of the Ikpachors), and visits to Ahoada Correctional Centre.
Addressing the crowd, High Chief Ebere Bernard, founder of the DEBAFF, a non governmental organisation (NGO) remarked that as a philanthropist, he was poised to change the youths from street urchins to athletes to better their lots.
The Ekpeye born mix martial artist noted that mix martial arts was used as a tool to teach real life winning skills like dedication, discipline, respect, humility and hard work.
DEBAFF director said among other things that he decided to spice up the athletic competition with the Ekpeye cultural procession to reminiscence the warrior nature of his ancestor Akalaka whose descendants were (Ekpeye – Ubie ) axis of Ekpeye kingdom in olden days.
While he donated cash materials, and pro bono lawyer for the inmates, he warned the prisoners not to only turn a new a leaf, but to engage in sports which could transform them and their economic upliftment.
Also speaking, Chief Coach, Sports Institute, University of Port Harcourt, Mr. Godpower Geoffrey said, “Judo which means gentle way in Japanese, is a martial arts created in Japan by Jigoro Kano in 1882”. He therefore urged the participants and the youths to embrace it as well as to play by the rules.
Meanwhile, speakers during the colloquium held Monday at the Conference Hall Of Ahoada East Local Government Council with the theme: “Repositioning and Empowering of Ekpeye Youth for Global Impact included Dr. Bernard who lectured on “Ekpeye the land between two Rivers: A pathetic story of poverty in abundance of resources”, while Chukwumerijie Mwanekezie-phil and Chinotu F. George spoke on “Information: A Global Leverage for Achievement in Academic”, and Rule 7 of Jordan Peterson’s 12 rules for life: pursue what is meaningful and not what is expedient.
However, Chairman Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Eze Ikaki S. Ikaki, poured encomium on the host; noting that Dr. Bernard has done so great for the people of Ekpeye land.
Promising that traditional rulers in Ekpeye land would make it possible for companies operating in the land to partner with DEBAFF to bring in sustainable peace, growth and development.
In his vote of thanks, Chief Lamai Oduevho of Osakhu clan of Avhiawun kingdom of Edo State commended the donor for his magnanimity.

 

By: Emenike Agimo

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

Published

5 days ago

on

February 16, 2026

By

The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
Continue Reading

Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

Published

5 days ago

on

February 16, 2026

By

Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

Published

5 days ago

on

February 16, 2026

By

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
Continue Reading

Trending